Ben Stiller reprises his role Photos courtesy Doane Gregory 20th Century Fox
How many funnymen can you fit into one press conference? At least three, as it turns out. Ben Stiller, Ricky Gervais and Hank Azaria all converged on London's Claridge's last Tuesday (May 12) to promote their movie Night At The Museum 2. With the three larger-than-life actors all in one room, EFF wondered if the end result would be comedy overkill - or if, even worse, they wouldn't be as funny in the flesh. Fortunately, the trio were all in fine form and and happily answered lots of questions about their latest project.
Like the original movie, Night At The Museum 2 sees a museum spring to life after sunset - only this time, the action takes place in the enormous Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC. When asked what inanimate object they would like to see come to life, the actors look momentarily lost for words. "Wow, that's a broad, sweeping question..." muses Ben. "Give us two and a half hours," adds Ricky. Hank says he'd like to bring his car to life so that they could scheme up adventures together. "Do you want a talking car or do you want to just be like David Hasselhoff?" asks Gervais. "I'd like to bring David Hasselhoff back to life," jokes Ben.
Another journo asks if the stars ever did any dull jobs before acting. "I was a really bad waiter and busboy," recalls Ben. "I waited on Dudley Moore once, and I was really interested in what he was talking about, so I'd come over - I think I annoyed him."
"I was a busboy as well," says Hank. "I was a really good one. I knew what I was doing - I could clear a table really well. In fact, I was so bored I would try out accents. I noticed that people would look through you if you just sounded like everybody else, but if I said (puts on fake accent) 'Arrre yoooou feeenished with theeez?' they'd say 'Where are you from?', so I worked showbiz into my job somehow. My first job was a bartender in LA. But I've been fired from every job I ever had besides acting." He pauses. "How about you, Ricky - did you do anything else?"
"I worked in an office," quips Gervais. "I took notes."
From their relaxed rapport, it seems that the talented trio must have had a blast making this movie, which also stars a host of other big names such as Owen Wilson, Steve Coogan, Robin Williams and Amy Adams. The latter - who makes a new addition to the cast in the role of pilot Amelia Earhart - spends most of the film sporting a pair of incredibly tight-fitting trousers. Did that distract her co-stars at all? "I enjoyed the trousers," says Ben. "I thought she looked great and I was happy to be in scenes with her every day."
"I only worked with Ben and the monkey and neither of them was wearing trousers," laughs Ricky. "Tiny little hairy legs... and the monkey." But what did he think about her outfit on the big screen? "I haven't seen the film," he replies. As the audience gasps in mock shock, he adds: "Erm... I have. It's brilliant."
"I was open with Amy about my distraction over her trousers," reveals Hank. "I think I said something really clever like 'Nice pants.' She was like, 'Yeah, they really hug you from behind. If it works, great - if not, I'm ok with it.' And I said, 'I think it's working...'"
Another co-star who made quite an impact was the Capuchin monkey Crystal, who practically stole the show in the first movie. "I met Crystal the monkey," says Ricky. "I didn't meet him the first time." "It's a she," replies Ben, as the pair start bantering back and forth. "I didn't look. Just eye to eye." "She's very manly for a female monkey." "She's the cleverest monkey in the world, isn't she?" "She's not that clever," argues Ben. "You give her food, she slaps you." "First you tell me to look what's going on downstairs, and then you diss it."
Hank confesses that he also didn't know the monkey was female. "All the monkey really does is slap you," he adds. "And she really packs a little wallop. No wonder you [Ben] are over it. We're all delighted by it, but you're tired of it, aren't you?" "I'm beyond tired," says Ben. "I think I resent her..."
Yet despite any monkey business, Stiller says he hasn't ruled out the possibility of Night at the Museum 3. "The idea of doing a third one would be great, I think it would be really fun. It would just be having to figure out something that sustains itself. There are a couple of ideas floating around, if indeed it seems like people want to see a third one. The idea of working with these guys again would be great. It would have to be a little different."
"Just a normal museum where nothing comes to life?" suggests Ricky. "It's all about the admin..."
Night At The Museum 2 opens at cinemas across the UK on May 20
